These Family-Owned Restaurants Are More Than 100 Years Old!

Oct 10, 2023 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Today’s adventure takes Shizuka to Nihonbashi, located in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward. Here, she explores the world of shinisei.

Shinisei shops, known as "long-established shops" in Japan, hold a special place in the country's cultural and commercial landscape. These businesses have been operating for generations, often spanning centuries, and are celebrated for their dedication to craftsmanship, quality, and tradition.

Shizuka’s first stop is Toyoda, a Japanese restaurant in Nihonbashi with a 160-year history. She enters the restaurant and meets the 5th-generation owner, Hashimoto Toru. After learning about Hashimoto-san’s family legacy and the restaurant’s history, it’s time to feast! Shizuka is presented with a range of delectable dishes, including blowfish, grilled Japanese beef, tempura, and beyond.

After finishing her meal, Shizuka steps out for some fresh air and wanders over to Nihonbashi Bridge, which was built in 1603 and has served as a symbolic landmark since the Edo Period (17th to 19th centuries). The bridge was originally constructed of wood and marked the starting point of Japan's five major highways, a reference point for travelers measuring distances.

Next stop is Janoichi, a 130-year-old restaurant and the second shinisei restaurant stop on this journey. Takarai Hideharu, the proud owner of Janoichi, introduces Shizuka to the restaurant’s evolution from a street food stand to bricks and mortar restaurant. He presents our hungry host with a dish of Janoichi delicacies, including marinated shrimp, scallops, and bluefin tuna sushi.

The final stop on Shizuka’s Nihonbashi shinisei journey is Unagi Kappo Oedo, which has been around since the 1800s. She enters an elegant dining room and meets Wakui Hiroyuki, the respected owner, who explains the restaurant’s journey from an eel shop to a specialty restaurant. Shizuka selects a course menu, including seasonal appetizers and a range of eel-based dishes.

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